Critical Process Died Stop Code in Windows 10 [Fixed]

Windows OS is one of the market’s most commonly used operating systems. However, while it is pretty versatile and common among users, there are a broad set of reported problems related to the system.

These system errors are resolvable, which includes errors like the Critical Process Died stop code. While it is known to address the corrupted Windows processes, this error needs to be resolved.

This article will address this stop code and provide users with a comprehensive guide on resolving it on their Windows 10 computers. 

• Restore the system to the previous point.
• Run DISM to fix the corrupted system image.
• Use SFC /scannow System File Checker.
• Run CHKDSK to fix the file system.
• Scan using antivirus and malware software.
• Remove unstable programs.
• Make sure all drivers are up to date.
• Perform a clean boot.

Part 1: What causes a code critical process died stop code

Among the blue screen of death errors, the Critical Process Died Error is one of the market’s most commonly reported Windows errors.

As it occurs due to some unexpected corruption in the Windows background processes, the cause of this error cannot be directly determined.

It might include functions like services.exe, csrss.exe, etc. With such errors in the account, Windows 10 shutdowns automatically or restarts the system to protect the system.

While it is known as a Stop Code error, it is known under the error code “0x000000EF”, which is a direction provided to Windows to terminate the critical process that has been corrupted and damaged.

There are multiple reasons and causes of the stop code that regulates the Windows 10 computer. It includes:

• Different software bugs damage the underlying procedures of the Windows 10 system.
• Faulty drivers that are operating a specific peripheral or service of the computer.
• Memory problems are caused due to damaged partitions or size issues in the hard drive.
• File corruption corrupts for no particular reason.
• An overheated device that will damage the hardware of the computer.

With an overview of the Critical Process Died Error, it is time to verify and cover a list of impressive solutions that can be used to resolve why a critical process died.

Method 1: Restore the system to the previous point

To start with the methods, you can run the System Restore procedure to resolve the particular error in your computer.

This will exempt all the certain changes in the system created after an update in Windows 10, as this might be the problem causing the Stop Code error.

The Critical Process Died issue will be resolved as directed in the previous point.

Step 1: You must boot into the system with a USB installer. Proceed to select Repair Your Computer and Advanced options in the buttons appearing on the starting window of the Automatic Repair environment. 

Step 2: Select the Troubleshoot option in the Advanced options menu to lead to the following options. You will find yourselves on the next screen, where you have to select System Restore to initiate the process.

Step 3: You have to provide the login details of the computer to proceed. Once done, you must select a specific restore point on the next window. Click Next to move to the next window, and tap Finish to conclude the restoration of the system. The system restarts with the previous version stored.

Method 2: Run DISM to fix the corrupted system image

The problem of Critical Process Died in Windows 10 quite often needs a repair of the Windows 10 system image. For such cases, it is best to use a process that fixes the system properly.

DISM, a command-line utility under the name of Deployment Image Servicing and Management, is used for the correction of such problems.

To proceed with this technique, you have to work through the steps as shown:

Step 1: Use the Windows + S shortcut keys to open the Search bar. Type Command Prompt and observe the results appearing on the screen. As the results appear, click on the Run as administrator button to launch CMD.

Step 2: Once launched, you have to use the following commands for the evaluation and restoration of the Windows system image:

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Method 3: Use SFC /scannow System File Checker

Problems like the Windows 10 Critical Process Died Error can be solved.

As it involves glitches and corruptions in the Windows 10 system, you can also try out the services of the SFC command, known as the System File Check command.

With this technique, the problem in the system is detected and resolved automatically while processing it across the command line.

To execute the SFC command, you must look into the following steps:

Step 1: Click on the Search Icon on the taskbar and type Command Prompt to open the results. With the results in the front, select Run as administrator to open it.

Step 2: You should type the sfc /scannow command and hit Enter. This initiates the scanning process and will ultimately resolve this stop code problem.

Method 4: Run CHKDSK to fix hard drives

Different Windows 10 utilities available on the system can be used to resolve various problems.

Since you are searching for fixing the Stop Code Critical Process Died, you can use the CHKDSK command with the command line.

Being known as one of the best utilities, it resolves major disk issues and eliminates all sorts of system errors. 

Step 1: Press the Windows key and enter cmd in the search bar. Then right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Type the following command in the terminal and press Enter: CHKDSK D: /F/R/X. You can replace the D with the driver letter of any disk partition you want to repair.

To prevent unexpected errors, do not interrupt CHKDKS, and please wait patiently for the scanning and fixing process to end.

However, if you are not comfortable using the command line, you can always have a third-party alternative option.

Disk partition management tools like EaseUS Partition Master performs equivalent to the CHKDSK command while simplifying the complete model.

It provides a dedicated Check File System feature that can be used to check disks and resolve such system errors.

Method 5: Scan using antivirus and malware software

There is a possibility of having a virus running in your system that is causing all related software issues.

The general Stop Code errors can also be a reason for this problem in the system. Having a virus or malware cannot be avoided; however, you should always be prepared for it if it happens.

For that, you must use antivirus software that detects and removes the viruses and malware creating problems in your system. Popular free and paid solutions include Avast, Malwarebytes, Norton, Bitdefender, MacAfee, etc.

Method 6: Remove unstable programs

The Critical Process Died error is an error that can be caused due to multiple issues in the system.

An unstable program corrupting the Windows 10 processes can also be a reason. Thus, removing it from the system is best to avoid all sorts of issues with the computer.

Let’s see how you can remove a program that is unstable from your Windows 10 computer:

Step 1: Access the Run command box with the help of the Windows + R shortcut key. As it opens, type control.exe to launch the Control Panel on your Windows 10.

Step 2: With the new screen launched, direct to the Programs tab and select the Programs and Features option.

Step 3: You will then be led to the complete list of applications you can remove. Scroll down to find the program that is malfunctioning and select it. Find the Uninstall button on the top bar and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the program.

Method 7: Make sure all drivers are up to date

Your Windows 10 device might have some drivers that are not updated or have gone outdated. With these drivers, the system might face hindrances in executing processes, thus leading to corruption.

To avoid this, you should ensure that the drivers are updated. To make this happen, you must follow the steps as advised below:

Step 1: You must access the Search icon on the taskbar to open it on your screen. Type Device Manager and press Enter to launch Windows Device Manager.

Step 2: Search through the drivers that are not updated. Once you find something, right-click on the respective driver and select the Update driver option. You must follow the on-screen instructions to execute the task successfully. 

Method 8: Perform a clean boot

To resolve some particular issues in your Windows 10 computer, you might need to access the services of Clean Boot.

This specific property is designed to act as a boot sequence that loads a necessity of files for functioning.

While reducing the startup time, you can fix the Critical Process Died issues by performing one on your Windows 10. For that, you must follow the steps as defined below:

Step 1: Access the Search Bar using the Windows + S shortcut key. As it opens, type msconfig to launch a new window.

Step 2: Check the Selective Startup option and uncheck the Load startup items in the provided screen.

Step 3: Lead into the Services tab, check the option of Hide all Microsoft services, and tap on Disable All to disable all services during the boot sequence.

Step 4: Select the Startup section from the top of the window and click on Open Task Manager. You have to disable all applications that are not required in the process. Right-click and select Disable, or use the Disable button on the bottom right. Once done, you have to restart your computer to perform a clean boot.

Bottom line to fix critical process errors

With all the details outlined for you, you are now aware of the Critical Process Died Error.

The solutions provided to the users in the article are pretty comprehensive in resolving all the problems in your device.

Windows 10 system errors are quite fatal, and they should always be looked into carefully.

Follow the guidelines provided in the article to resolve the specific stop code problem and help you run your system smoothly.